Jamaica Moves in School Initiative Revitalised in Western Parishes

The Jamaica Moves in School (JMIS) initiative has been revitalised in schools across Western parishes, thanks to the effort of the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA).

The programme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), seeks to combat health ignorance among the youth by promoting active lifestyles and healthy habits within schools.

It entails three five-minute breaks complemented with a designated Water and Fruits Day and an hour of physical activity, which can be broken down into four 25- minute slots per week.

However, based on the schools’ timetable, they have the liberty of deciding how each section will be rostered.

Pell River Primary in Hanover and Sheffield Primary in Westmoreland are among the schools seeing the benefits of the programme.

Both schools involve students in managing the daily exercise sessions and initiatives through the representation of Student Health Ambassadors.

Pell River Primary School is one of the first schools to produce a progress report based on achievements since collaborating with the WRHA.

Speaking with JIS News, Principal at the institution, Sherine Clarke, shared that the programme has significantly impacted the health of the school community.

“Our students have experienced improvement in their physical health. They have developed greater strength, flexibility, and endurance, leading to enhanced overall fitness levels… . [They] have reported feeling less stressed, [more] energised, and happier after participating in the exercise sessions,” she pointed out.

The school encourages all students to participate in a weekly Water Day initiative by drinking only water throughout the school day.

JMIS Teacher Ambassador at the school, Veresha Sattahoo, acknowledged that students initially were not receptive to the initiative.

“They would sometimes bring juice to school on Water Day, but after showing them the benefits of drinking water and why it is important for them to drink water… now they look forward to it,” she says.

“We also have fruit day known as ‘Frutti Tuesi’, where students take fruits to school to have during break time with water… so, no snack on that day, just fruits and water,” she adds.

Despite the lack of a dedicated playground, students participate in a daily five-minute exercise session to boost their overall productivity.

Grade-two Student Ambassador, Kylie Jones, shares that she encourages her peers to eat their fruits because “it can help them in so many ways [like] being more alert and active, as I am”.

Meanwhile, when it comes to physical activities, Sheffield Primary takes the rein. At the sound of the exercise horn, clusters of classes meet at the general area to indulge in their fun-filled exercise routine.

Sheffield Primary Principal, Dr. Vinnett Malcolm, says that the programme has been successful, and as such, the institution has extended the reach to students’ home life.

“We have a parents WhatsApp group [where] we send different ‘moves’ and songs, and encourage them to have their children do it,” she notes.

“As a matter of fact, it’s not just that, but we encourage them to give their children chores that will help them to actually exercise and become more physically fit, so that they can do better in school and increase their level of discipline,” she adds.

The school’s JMIS Grade-six Student Ambassador, Lasanique Love, says she has seen changes in her peers, as “they [have] started to watch the food they eat and how much water they drink”.

WRHA Regional Physical Activity Specialist, Orane Gardner, oversees the JMIS programme in select schools across Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James, and Trelawny.

Mr. Gardner explains that he worked with Pell River and Sheffield Primary schools to integrate physical activity seamlessly into their existing curriculum.

“So, if you go to Pell River, they would have actually incorporated Social Studies or Mathematics with physical activity… or in Sheffield where they have incorporated ‘My head, my shoulder, my knees, my toes’ and after every 30 seconds [the teachers] would stop to ask a Geographical Question to stimulate a greater metacognition,” he explains.

Mr. Gardner adds that while it has been just three months of working with the institutions to jumpstart the movement in schools, he is optimistic about the programme’s potential to continuously improve students’ well-being and enhance their learning experiences.

“I see great things because I have been getting the support of the Principal and Administrative staff. Now it is just a matter for us to sustain the programme,” he says.

He notes that he is also leading the health and wellness charge at Enfield Primary in Westmoreland Watford Primary in Hanover Cambridge and Irwin High schools in St. James, and at Wakefield and Albert Town Primary in Trelawny.

Mr. Gardner says these institutions have been adhering to the programme’s stipulations, demonstrating a commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles among the youth.